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Match reportNoth Midlands Vase Ledbury 1st XV 35 Bridgenorth 1st XV 10 Ledbury 1st XV ended the year with an emphatic victory over higher leagued opposition at Ross Road on Saturday to storm into the last sixteen of the North Midlands Shield. Both teams were committed to an open, fast moving game, and with a referee keen to play advantage the outcome was an entertaining match enjoyed by a good sized crowd. Ledbury began well, with fluent handling giving Leo Lockwood the opportunity to threaten the Bridgenorth line before being tackled on the left wing. When the visitors subsequently put in a couple of dangerous kicks there were forced back by the excellent covering and running of the outstanding right wing Lucas Ashworth, playing his first game since the beginning of the season on his return from college. The home team came close to opening the scoring when the forwards drove some twenty metres to pressurise the Bridgenorth line but it was actually the latter who broke away to score in the left hand corner at the end of the first quarter. Undeterred, Ledbury gradually exerted greater dominance as the half progressed. As usual the line produced quick ball through Matt Williams and Sam Scholefield who constantly threatened Bridgenorth’s throw ins and the improving scrum provided another platform for attack. Particularly impressive was the linking between the back row combination of Scholefield, Andy Cooper and James Handley. It was Handley who capitalised on sharp work by Jack Wilesmith to burst through Bridgenorth’s centres to score near the posts just before half time, Luke White’s conversion putting Ledbury ahead at the break. The home team went further ahead ten minutes into the second half when substitute Jamie Williams, on for the impressive debutant Ollie Dennis, powered over to score with his first touch of the ball. White again converted, as he did when Jock Welch extended the lead with another try shortly afterwards, and at 21 points to 5 the game was effectively sealed. Ledbury did not ease up and two more converted tries followed, one for Stu Perkins and a second for Welch. Bridgenorth hit back to score a consolation try rear the end but this did not detract from one of Ledbury’s best performances and results of the season so far. A difficult tie at Droitwich is waiting in the New Year but hopes are high of continuing success in both league and cup competitions as Ledbury’s advance gathers pace.
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